The Ministry noted that this milestone reflects the continued global confidence in the Maldives and the collective efforts of the tourism industry partners.
Velana Airport
On 02 March 2026, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment announced that the Maldives has set a new benchmark for the tourism industry.
According to the Ministry, the month of February 2026 has recorded the highest monthly arrivals in the Maldives' history, with 247,722 tourists visiting the country. The Ministry noted that this milestone reflects the continued global confidence in the Maldives and the collective efforts of the tourism industry partners.
This announcement comes at a particularly challenging time for the Maldives and several other tourism-dependent nations. With the ongoing conflict in parts of the Middle East leading to significant airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions, global travel flows have been severely affected. Travellers from key source markets continue to face cancelled connections, extended transit times, and uncertainty over onward journeys. In some cases, visitors have been unable to depart as scheduled, while prospective arrivals are reconsidering or postponing their travel plans altogether.
As the situation continues to evolve, authorities are expected to closely monitor developments and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to mitigate further impact on the tourism sector.
